2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray and seek My Face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.
The Morning Message yesterday led us to this question: Are we as Americans responsible for the evil deeds and decisions of our rulers? What is our responsibility as citizens of this country? We have only to look at the Word of God for the answer to this question.
How guilty were the people of Israel for the Crucifixion of Jesus? Most of them had nothing to do with it personally. They didn’t whip Him with cat-o-nine tails. They didn’t force the crown of thrones on His head. They didn’t drive the nails through His Hands and Feet. They didn’t pierce His Side with a sword. A lot of them were not even there when all this happened so were they still guilty just because they were people of that nation?
Our answer lies in the Judgment of God that was soon to come. In the year 70 A.D. all of Jerusalem was destroyed. Every stone of the Temple was thrown down to the ground. Millions of Jews died and every single Jew’s life was negatively affected in some way. Not a single Jew escaped the Judgment of God which came because they Crucified His Son. They all paid the price in some way.
Through all this, not one Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ was hurt or lost their life. Every single born-again Believer was spared. Think about that for a moment and then consider the fact that millions of Christian Americans hide behind the leadership of this nation thinking that they are not responsible for what is happening. Given what we read in the Word of God, this is not true.
Judgment of God is the result of the lack of repentance on the part of people. We are sinners. God knows we are sinners. All He asks of us is repentance. If the people of Israel had repented as a nation and stood up against their rulers, there is no telling how many of them would have been spared. The fact is, they didn’t stand against their rulers. They stood with them. They supported their decisions.
Is this what is happening in America and so many other “Christian nations” around the world today? When we take a step back and look at the whole picture, it begins to come into focus. My friends, God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Is He judging all of America for the actions and decisions of a few? It appears that way, but never lose sight of the great Mercy of God!
Remember what Jesus prayed on Crucifixion Day? He said, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34) A short time thereafter, Jesus hung on the Cross with a thief on either side of Him. Both thieves knew they were guilty and deserved to be put to death. They both had the chance to repent. One thief did so and said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom. (Luke 23:42)
This man referred to Jesus as Lord which is an indication that he knew Jesus was the Son of God; the Messiah. Then he sincerely asked Jesus to remember him. Jesus heard him and answered, Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise. (Luke 23:43) Oh, the Mercy of God! How wonderful it is!
The Mercy of God will……….turn the tide
Lord, remember me, Doreen
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